Statewide Regional Forums
TOPICS
The Vital Aging Network has scheduled three regional forums in September to introduce community members to the newly revised and re-designed Vital Communities Toolkit. Beginning in 2004, VAN pioneered an effort to collect a wide range of advice, tools, and models to help communities become vital and supportive of older people as the age of their population increases. This Toolkit, containing successful models of vital communities from across the state and nation, is now ready to be shared with the public. Vital communities have many different names: “communities for all ages,” “elder-friendly communities,” “healthy aging communities”, and “communities for a lifetime.” VAN defines a vital community as a community people of all generations work together to find the right balance between meeting individual needs and meeting the needs of the community as a whole.
These VAN forums include an introduction to the Vital Aging Network and a review of the Toolkit containing resources, successful models, sample assessments and best practices. Additionally, each forum will feature a panel of local community leaders showcasing their successes, revealing barriers, and outlining their next steps to improve their community’s involvement with older adults. Participants will have the opportunity to network and share their ideas about creating vital communities in the area where they live.
VAN Regional Forum will be held in Bloomington, Crookston, and Redwood Falls during September. Everyone is invited to attend these informative forums and learn how to add to your community’s livability.
Bloomington:
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 10 AM – noon
Bloomington Civic Plaza
1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd.
Co-sponsored by the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging, City of Bloomington, Carver County Office on Aging, Dakota County Aging Initiative, NORC Projects of St. Louis Park and Hopkins, and SAIL.
Crookston:
Tuesday, September 23, 10 – 12 PM
Student Center, U of M Crookston
2900 University Ave.
Co-sponsored by the U of M Crookston and the MN Rural Health Association
Redwood Falls:
Tuesday, September 30, 1 – 3 PM
Redwood Area Community Center
901 E. Cook St.
Co-sponsored by the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging